How do you factor x²+8x+7?

2 Answers
Nov 7, 2015

(x+1)(x+7)

Explanation:

To quickly factor it, we want to find two numbers that add up to 8 (the coefficient in front of x) and multiply to 7 (the constant).

You might quickly see that the numbers we want are 1 and 7.

Next, simply write 2 pairs of parenthesis and put "x+" and the two magical numbers we just found...

(x+1)(x+7)

Notice if you were to FOIL this out, you would get the original expression. In fact, what we just did was FOIL-ing backwards.

Nov 7, 2015

x^2+8x+7=(x+1)(x+7)

Explanation:

x^2+8x+7

Find two numbers that when added equal 8 and when multiplied equal 7. The numbers 1 and 7 meet the criteria.

x^2+8x+7=(x+1)(x+7)